Los Angeles Times political writers Maeve Reston and Robin Abcarian join Politics Now host Jim Rainey in a chat about Paul Ryan's first days on the campaign trail. Mitt Romney's pick for the Republican vice presidential nomination has been a sensation with conservative Republicans, though he also drew some harsh attacks. The Politics Now team explains how the Ryan choice makes this more a "base" than a "swing" election, argues about whether early polling on Ryan as veep designate means anything and discusses the congressman's controversial Medicare proposal.

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are primarily known as political satirists, but on Thursday night they were both in fact-checker mode, marking up Paul Ryan's keynote speech with their metaphorical red pens. On “The Daily Show,” Stewart was struck by the contrast between Ryan's reputation as a policy-focused, “speaker of hard truths” and his speech, which, though well-delivered, was short on specfics and long on the whoppers. Stewart took Ryan -- a.k.a. “Chiseled Chin McNicey Face” -- to task for making misleading claims about Medicare funding and the failure of a proposed bipartisan debt commission.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Just a few hours before Paul Ryan was to deliver his prime-time speech as the GOPvice presidential nominee, he met with fellow "cheeseheads" at a Wisconsin delegation event. "We just wanted to come by to say hi," Ryan told the audience as he took the stage with his wife, Janna. "We could smell the brats down the street. " A live polka band had been playing at the "Beer and Brats," according to the pool report, and Jimmy John's sandwiches and other foods were available at the celebration of all things Wisconsin as the delegates welcomed a favorite son. PHOTOS: Paul Ryan's past Ryan also checked out the convention hall where he would be giving his address -- and essentially introducing himself to the nation.

WASHINGTON -- The Republican running mates, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, agree on most major issues, but present a sharp contrast in background, temperament and outlook. Romney is a businessman who defines himself as a problem solver. His experience is executive, he prides himself on being data-driven and dispassionate about making decisions. He has switched positions on several major issues when that appeared politically necessary. He spent his career outside Washington and at key points in his life - particularly his early move to set up Bain Capital -- he carefully avoided excessive risk.

GOP leaders are advancing the House Republican budget and its proposed changes to Medicare despite opposition in the Democratic-led Senate by using used a relatively obscure procedural move -- tucking it alongside an unrelated bill that would allow the importation of trophy polar bears. In considering the sportsmen's hunting legislation, the House approved a provision Tuesday that essentially “deems” the budget from Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) passed, even though the blueprint with its tax breaks and cuts to domestic programs was dead on arrival in the Senate.

Mitt Romney picking Paul D. Ryan as his running mate may have sparked new interest in his campaign and invigorated the Republican base, but more Americans than not have a less-than-stellar opinion of the Wisconsin congressman. A new USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 42% see Ryan as a “fair” or “poor” choice, compared with 39% who rate him as “pretty good” or “excellent.” The only vice presidential nominee who has polled worse following an introduction to the public is Dan Quayle, who in 1988 was seen as “fair” or “poor” by 52% of Americans.

WASHINGTON -- Republican Rep. Paul D. Ryan returned to Congress on Tuesday, his political star rising even if his political future remains uncertain. The Wisconsin congressman and GOP vice presidential nominee has dismissed talk of a 2016 presidential run, saying Americans are tired of politics, and he described the "shock" of losing on election night as a "foreign experience. " For now, he is retaking his perch on the House Budget Committee, the venue that launched him into the presidential campaign as Mitt Romney's running mate and which also produced the austerity blueprint that defines the Republican Party.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday that he would sign off on Paul Ryan's controversial budget plan if elected president. Speaking to reporters in New Hampshire, Pawlenty emphasized, however, that he would offer his own fiscal blueprint in the coming campaign that would be different from the Wisconsin Republican's. "We'll have our own plan. But ... if I can't have that, and the bill came to my desk and I had to choose between signing or not Congressman Ryan's plan, of course I would sign it," he said, according to a transcript distributed by his campaign.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Paul Ryan is already preparing for debate night -- the oratory showdown with Vice President Joe Biden that just might be the one to watch. After his soaring Republican convention speech, Ryan has been bragging a bit that as a congressman he is well-primed for the occasion. "I'm studying. I'm reading Joe Biden's speeches, reading Joe -- watching Joe Biden tape and just studying on all of the various issues," Ryan said during an interview from Tampa on CNN's "The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer.